With the recent events of the Soldier Fitness Tracker scandal that I broke, and the Billy Graham Evangelical Association’s proselytizing series of 7 hour concerts and preaching across the nation, it is becoming evident that the entire murky Spiritual Fitness concept needs to go.

How is this not a bigger story in America? Why is this STILL a problem? These reporters contacted me for a story as well. Perhaps we shall see a little bit more coverage on the issues that myself, and Rock Beyond Belief as a whole are attempting to fight. We are on the front lines of this issue, but we can’t do it alone.

Luckily, Mikey Weinstein, founder of Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) is fighting back on the legal end. And other organizitions like MAAF, AU, FFRF, and American Atheists have all been speaking out as well. Mikey, who appears in this video, obviously needed to be bleeped because he really gets it. He is fired up, as well he should be. But he isn’t just sitting around and taking it. In fact he is one of the first to offer to speak at our festival in Spring, waiving any honorarium (without us even asking for him to waive it!) We certainly can’t wait to here him speak.

What we need is more visibility on this issue. We need people to care about this. They can’t unless they know about it. Please spread the word. Please write your newspaper. Write your senator. Join or start a local secular activist meetup group.

If you are military, you don’t have to be a closeted non-believer. Be proud of yourself. There is nothing wrong with you, and you don’t have to be quiet about it. In fact, you should feel proud to have the integrity to do the right thing, and enforce that others are too. It’s our obligation to ensure that people enforce the EXISTING laws and regulations.

I hate how my newscaster asked “what the big deal is.” If they punish the soldiers for not going to Rock Beyond Belief, there would be an uproar from the Christians.

beerslayer

Imagine the uproar if soldiers were forced to attend a Muslim ceremony, or a Pagan/Wiccan ceremony, or any other non-Christian religious ceremony. This is truly frightening. ——————- “When you understand why you don’t believe in Zeus, Thor, Zoroaster, or the Tooth Fairy, you will understand why I don’t believe in Yahweh.” – Unknown

beerslayer

p.s. It’s a bit troubling also that the images you’ve posted are from RT – Russia Today – rather than from an American network. Seems we can’t get a straight story from our own media – we have to go to a foreign network to get the truth. ————- “When you understand why you don’t believe in Zeus, Thor, Zoroaster, or the Tooth Fairy, you will understand why I don’t believe in Yahweh.” – Unknown

Silver State Stormtrooper

Forcing one’s beliefs on another is harrassment, and a violation of AR 600-20. Non-Christian troops being punished (discriminated against) for refusing to attend a function that they are not only uncomfortable with, but, do not agree with. Wrong answer.

Disclaimer

The authors of this blog are speaking on their own behalf. Any views expressed on this site belong to the authors and do not reflect the views of the Department of Defense or any branch of the military.